While we have nothing against Russians who believe in equality, we have EVERYTHING FOR someone who stands up for what's right — and in that case, we're talking about motherf***in' Cher!

Cher is and always will be a badass when it comes to LGBT rights, and we're super proud to hear that she's turned down a huge gig at the Russian Winter Olympics due to their anti-gay laws!

She was even offered the role of ambassador but declined that shizz immediately. Here's what she said:

"I can't name names but my friend called who is a big oligarch over there, and asked me if I'd like to be an ambassador for the Olympics and open the show. I immediately said no. I want to know why all of this gay hate just exploded over there. He said the Russian people don't feel the way the government does."

We can totally see that — and we by NO means intend to reflect that we disagree with all of Russia! Just the ass-backwards anti-gay laws and those who enforce them, treating good people like second-class citizens and criminals because of their love.

Cher's choice wasn't just because she looooooves the LGBT community, but also because she and Sonny experienced that kind of hate in the beginning of their careers too:

"People hated Sonny and I in the early days because we looked and acted so different. Sonny was always getting into fights - people would call him 'fag' and he'd get his nose broken - only because we were dressing different. And these were our street clothes! You can't forget that. We tried getting on TV but the backlash against the networks was so bad, they wouldn't invite us back."

"When Chaz first told me she was going to do it - pronoun problem, when he first told me - and the process started, I was so frightened. One time I called Chaz and he had forgot to change his voicemail and it was his old voice. It shook me a bit.

"These are small changes that as a mother you never forget. It is the last taboo. It used to be against the law. Thank God we've come so far."

Whether or not the lives of LGBT Russians affect you personally, we would hope that any kind of human rights being violated would spark a fire under everyone out there with a heart, anyone who has ever loved another person!

While Cher might be more personally invested than some others, we hope her stand empowers ALL likes of people to take a stance against non-equality!

she looks like an old drag queen. why would the russians want Cher? the olympics showcase the home countrys talent and heritage, why would they want to hire an old American has been with it for a child. I'm calling BULLSHIT on Cher.

Why do I think she could have made a bigger statement by going? She was never one to back down, and opening the olympics is a big deal performer wise and a big platform.
The Russians are going to be a little longer coming around; glasnost was just in the 80's so they're a few decades behind America culturally. If anyone could prod that process, Cher could, lol.